Flexible article conveyor for high speed applications



April 8, 1969 J. M. TRUMPER FLEXIBLE ARTICLE CONVEYOR FOR HIGH SPEEDAPPLICATIONS Sheet of 5 Filed May 25. 1967 INVENTORI JAY M. TRUMPER,

ATTORNEY.

April 8, 1969 J. M. TRUMPER FLEXIBLE ARTICLE CONVEYOR FOR HIGH SPEEDAPPLICATIONS Sheet 2 of Filed May 25. 1967 INVENTORZ JAY M. TRUMPER,

BY MC.

HIS ATTORNEY.

April 8, 1969 J. M. TRUMPER FLEXIBLE ARTICLE CONVEYOR FOR HIGH SPEEDAPPLICATIONS Filed May 25, 1967 INVENTORZ JAY M. TRUMPER HIS ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,437,005 FLEXIBLE ARTICLE CONVEYOR FOR HIGH SPEEDAPPLICATIONS Jay M. Trumper, Burlington, Vt, assignor to GeneralElectric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 25, 1967, Ser. No.641,252 Int. Cl. F41d 9/06 US. CI. 89-33 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A flexible conveyor mechanism capable of transferringammunition rounds between a high rate of fire gun, such as a modernGatling-gun and an ammunition storage device movable relative thereto,under adverse conditions including twisting, fanning or bending of theconveyor as the result of such relative movement. The conveyor includesan outer guide and an inner helical element gripping and deliveringcartridges when powered through means which may be geared to the gunpower source.

Background of the invention The invention has application to the fieldof ordnance and armaments. In particular, it concerns ammunitionhandling and improvements to a conveyor mechanism for use whereflexibility, a high degree of reliability, and rapid delivery isimportant, that is to say, where ammunition is to be transported betweena large capacity, fixedlymounted ammunition container and a relativelymovable, high rate of fire automatic gun.

Modern aircraft, particularly those utilized in air-toground supportmissions typical of todays guerilla warfare combat conditions, requireguns having a very high rate of fire since time on target is very short.Several modern gun designs operating on the high rate of fireGatling-gun principle are currently in the military arsenal for use onground support aircraft. Presently these guns, in the 20 mm. and 7.62mm. size, have firing rates exceeding 6,000 shots per minute (spin). Theguns may be mounted in pods carried beneath the wings of fighterbomberaircraft, or they may be mounted in a fixed position within the aircraftto fire forward, to the side, or downward. They may also be mounted inflexible turrets so as to provide a wider field of fire.

Such guns obviously require a relatively large ammunition supply.Accordingly, a so-called Linkless Feed System" (LFS) has been developedwherein the ammunition is contained in a large cylindrical housing ordrum having a center shaft on which is supported a series of closelyspaced parallel walls arranged in a helical configuration from one endof the drum to the other. Live cartridges are placed between the wallswith the bullet nose pointing radially inwardly toward the center shaft,the primer or extractor rim ends being captured in spaced, parallelrails running axially of the drum. In this manner, as the shaft turnsthe cartridges are driven axially along the rails towards an exitsprocket at the transfer end of the drum, whereat a transfer mechanismaccepts cartridges from the exit sprocket and feeds them to a conveyormeans connected to the gun.

While this has proved to be a reliable high speed feed system, it hasbeen heretofore limited largely to use with fixed gun installationsrather than in turret or pintle mounted applications where the gun ismovable both in elevation and azimuth with respect to the drum orammunition container. Because of a lack of a suitable conveyor whichcould transfer the ammunition to the flexiblymounted gun the LFS has notbeen used for this application. Instead, belts of ammunition connectedby metal links are usually pulled through segmented or sectioned,

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somewhat flexible, metal chuting with a resultant loss of reliabilitydue to the fragile nature of the links, particularly when the belt istwisted, bent or fanned due to the relative movement between the gun andthe storage container. Momentary restrictions can also cause the belt topart or stretch, which often results in a jam or stoppage at the feederentrance.

Accordingly, the primary object of the subject invention is to providean improved conveyor mechanism having high flexibility and reliabilityfor use in supplying ammunition or the like at extremely high deliveryspeeds.

A more specific object of the subject invention is to provide animproved conveyor mechanism capable of accomplishing very rapid,reliable transfer of ammunition between a gun and a container relativelymovable with respect thereto, which mechanism supports individualcartridges while in the conveyor chuting and also provides a mechanicalconnection between the gun power source and the container deliverysystem.

Summary of the invention In a disclosed embodiment, an ammunitioncontainer (LFS) and a gun feeder mechanism are shown interconnected bymy improved conveyor mechanism. Specifically, the conveyor mechanism isseries-connected for ammunition flow between delivery sprocket wheels atthe LFS drum and similar sprocket wheels in a feeder mechanism housinglocated between the conveyor chuting and the weapon breech. The chuting,which may comprise a flexible one-piece member, or a series of segmentsloosely clipped or otherwise connected together to provide someflexibility, is adapted to surround the cartridges as they move throughthe conveyor mechanism. The chutin is modified to accept a wire-Wound,relatively stiff helical member, according to my invention. The helicalmember is geared to the feeder mechanism at one end of the member so asto provide power for rotating the helical member within the chuting toadvance individual cartridges captured between the windings or volutesof the member. A flexible torque shaft may also be utilized inconnection with the helical member to provide added torque or turningforce for powering the delivery sprocket wheel or wheels at the LFSthrough the conveyor mechanism. In this manner, as the helical memberturns, it will advance the cartridges or rounds through the chuting in amanner to provide delivery speeds exceeding 6,000 rounds per minutesince one round is preferably delivered per each revolution of thehelix. The helix pitch may be varied depending on the desired minimumcurvature of the conveyor and the degree of tipping of the cartridgespermissible within the ehuting relative to a plane of the crosssectionthereof.

Further objects and advantages of my invention, while apparent from theclaims appended hereto, will perhaps be better understood from thefollowing detailed escription taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorialized, partial view of the socalled Linkless FeedSystem" (LFS) and a high rate of fire, automatic weapon of theGatling-gun variety interconnected by the improved conveyor mechanism ofmy invention;

FIGURE 2 is schematic view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 1,with the chuting removed to illustrate the helical member and torqueshaft and a series of cartridges or rounds gripped thereby for transportto the FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the feeder end of anembodiment of my improved conveyor mechanism, partially in cross-sectionand broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the improved conveyor mechanism of theinvention; and

FIGURE 5 is a view along line 5 of FIGURE 4.

Description of the invention As seen in the schematic of FIGURE 1, theLinkless Feed System (LFS), indicated generally at comprises a largeouter drum or housing 12 adapted to be supported or attached to anaircraft turret apparatus (not shown), or the like. The drum or housingacts as a container for a number of rounds of ammunition, several ofwhich are indicated at 20. The rounds are adapted to be directedoutwardly of the drum, at an opening 12a, being handed off to deliverysprocket wheels supported at the drum by a shaft 23. The improvedconveyor mechanism of my invention is indicated generally at 24. Theconveyor mechanism, as stated above, interconnects the LFS with a veryhigh rate of fire automatic gun, indicated generally at 30, operating onthe Gatling-gun principle. The gun 30, which forms no part of thepresent invention, comprises a plurality of barrels 32 supported on arotor 34 for rotation about a common axis. A motor 36 operably connectedby gearing, indicated generally at 38, drives the rotor through a ringgear 40. The rotor 34 is rotatably supported in a gun housing 42, whichhousing may, in turn, be suitably supported by means (not shown) in anaircraft pod or fuselage, depending on the mission requirements and thetype of vehicle. On the opposite end from the barrel cluster the rotorsupports a second ring gear 44 meshing with still another gear 46supported on a feeder mechanism shaft 48. The feeder mechanism, whichdirects the rounds into the gun, is indicated generally at 50. As seenin the partial view of FIGURE 2, wherein the feeder mechanism outercasing 51 has been removed, the feeder essentially comprises a pair ofsprocket wheels 52-52 adapted to receive the rounds from the improvedconveyor mechanism, hereinafter described in detail, for subsequenthanding-off to the gun bolts (not shown) which translate in trackways 53in the gun rotor.

As best seen in FIGURES l, 3 and 4, the conveyor mechanism of myinvention includes an outer, flexible chute or guide 56 having wallsforming a hollow member generally rectangular in cross-section. There isthus provided a passageway 60 through which extends a helical memberindicated generally at 62. The helical member, one of the primaryfeatures of my invention, comprises a series of open wire volutes,indicated at 62a, 62b, 62c, etc., as best shown in the plan view ofFIGURE 4. The helical member, in this instance, is a relatively stiff,spring-like continuous wire of suitable diameter, e.g., approximately.09 inch, the exact diameter of the wire being selected dependingprimarily on the torque requirements for each application, ashereinafter noted in detail. In any event, individual rounds, R1, R2,R3, etc., are enclosed or grasped loosely by the respective wirevolutes, as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4. In the disclosed embodiment itwill be seen that at the exit or feeder end of the chute 56, the helicalmember or wire 62 is supported by a uniquely shaped sprocket 64 having ahelical web 64a supported on or integral with an elongated body portion64b. The webs include a seat 62c receiving the wire or helical member.Journaled at the extreme end of the body portion is a pinion gear,indicated at 66. The pinion gear intermeshes with a ring gear 68 aflixedto the side of one of the pair of exit sprocket wheels indicated at52-52 mounted on shaft 48. A similar mechanism is located on the LFS orentrance end, as seen in FIGURE 2. As shown in FIG URE l, the feederassembly 50 includes an outer housing 51 which is adapted to supportsuitable bearing means, indicated at 74, for journaling the extremeouter end of the support sprocket 64.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 the rounds rest between the helical wireloops forming the volutes with their longitudinal axes parallel andapproximately perpendicular, i.e., slightly tilted from the longitudinalaxis of the chute 56. It will therefore be understood that the sprocketsupport and gearing arrangement shown in FIGURE 3 is substantiallysimilar at both ends of the chute 56. In this manner, as a driving forceis transmitted to feeder shaft 48, through gear 46, feeder sprockets52-52 are operable to turn support sprocket 64 through the interengagedring and pinion gears 68 and 66, respectively. Since the helical member62 is firmly secured to the support sprocket web 64a at 64c it will alsoturn in one direction, that is, it will revolve from right to left, inthe drawings. A drive force is therefore transmitted to each round as itbears against the wire loops of the enclosing volutes, as seen in FIGURE4. At the same time, the support sprocket at the LFS end also turns andthrough similar intermeshing ring and pinion gears, indicated generallyat 80, effects a rotation of the entrance sprocket wheels 22-22, whichare supported on the shaft 23, as shown in FIGURE 2. As also indicatedin the drawings, it may be desirable, particularly in the larger caliberammunition sizes, to strengthen the torque-carrying capacity of thehelical member 62. To this end, I have provided a flexible shaft 82which extends from the exit to the entrance end of the chute 56, beingattached at both ends to the respective support sprockets. Thus, as seenin FIGURE 3, shaft 82 is received in a bore 84 at the inner end of thesupport sprocket body being retained therein by a pin 86 received in asmaller bore 88 at right angles to and passing through bore 84. Thus,the motor 36 is enabled to power both the feeder sprocket wheels, thehelical member, the entrance sprocket wheels and the LFS. Alternatively,the motor could drive the LFS and entrance sprocket wheels directly. Inany event, the helical member will synchronize the delivery of roundsfrom the LFS to the conveyor chuting and from the chuting to the gunfeeder mechanism. Undue stress on the system will be avoided since thehelical member can wind-up" or stretch to automatically compensate forslight out-of-sync movements between the gun speed and the LFS speed.

The design of the pitch of the helical member is controlled, to someextent, by the minimum curvature of the conveyor chuting when it isbent, fanned or twisted during operation as the gun swivels and pivots.Suflicient clearance is therefore provided so that when the chuting isbent to its minimum radius the inside pitch of the helical member 62does not tend to jam the rounds as they move through the chuting. Nor isthe outside pitch so great that control of the driving movement on therounds is lost. The power shaft 82 will provide additional torque, ifrequired, to drive the LFS. Since the shaft is connected to the helix ateach end, shaft wind-up will not affect the timing of the handing-off ofthe ammunition at both the exit or feeder sprocket wheels 52-52 and theentrance or delivery sprocket wheels 2222.

In this manner, I have provided a mechanical power connection between anLFS and gun through an improved conveyor mechanism capable oftransmitting ammunition at an extremely high rate of speed (6,000 s.p.m.or higher) which mechanism is reliable, substantially maintenance-free,and easy to manufacture. Since the helical member can be geared directlyto the sprocket wheels at each end of the conveyor chute, changes invelocity in either LFS operating speed or the timing of the gun feedermechanism (i.e., rotating speed of shaft 48) do not create a problemwith respect to jamming of ammunition in the helical member or chuting.In certain applications it may be possible to combine the functions ofthe torque shaft 82 and the helix 62 in one member so that the helixwill have sufiicient torque transmitting capacity, in and of itself.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A conveyor mechanism for the rapid transfer of a plurality ofdiscrete articles between a delivery station and a user apparatus, saidmechanism comprising:

an elongated, hollow guide member having an entrance end and an exitend;

conveyor means disposed within said guide member for engaging andconveying articles therewith, including a helical wire member having aseries of open volutes, each adapted to enclose a respective discretearticle;

first means for serially presenting articles delivered from saiddelivery station into said entrance end of said guide member, includinga delivery sprocket,

a first support sprocket disposed within said guide member, and

first gear means operably coupled to said delivery sprocket and saidfirst support sprocket;

second means for serially accepting articles presented at said exit endof said guide member, including a user apparatus feeder sprocket,

a second support sprocket disposed within said guide member, and secondgear means operably coupled to said apparatus feeder sprocket and saidsecond support sprocket;

said helical wire member being fixed at the respective ends thereof tosaid first and said second support sprockets, to synchronize theoperation of said first and second means.

2. A conveyor mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said first gearmeans is fixed in part to said delivery sprocket and is fixed in part tosaid first support sprocket, and said second gear means is fixed in partto said feeder sprocket and is fixed in part to said second supportsprocket, whereby rotation of said feeder sprocket is effective torotate said delivery sprocket.

3. A conveyor mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said conveyor meansfurther includes a flexible shaft fixed to and between said first andsaid second support sprockets, said shaft lying substantial- 1y withinthe volutes of said helical wire member and supplementing the torquetransmission capacity of said wire member between said supportsprockets.

4. A conveyor mechanism for transferring independent ammunition roundsfrom a remote storage container to a high rate of fire gun, comprising:

an elongated, flexible outer guide member having walls forming alongitudinal passageway which is generally rectangular in cross-sectionand has an entrance end and an exit end;

means for delivering rounds from the storage container into saidentrance end of said guide member, including a first sprocket wheel forserially handing-off rounds to said guide member so that thelongitudinal axes of the rounds entering therewithin are substantiallyparallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to saidlongitudinal axis of said guide member;

means for accepting rounds from said exit end of said guide memberincluding a second sprocket wheel and shaft means rotatably supportingsaid wheel intermediate said exit end and the breach of the gun forhanding-off rounds thereto;

a helical member disposed within said guide member and having a seriesof open volutcs adapted to engage respective ammunition rounds;

support means for supporting said helical members for rotation in onedirection including a first support sprocket disposed in said guidemember at said entrance end and having a helical seat on the peripherythereof which receives and is fixed to one end of said helical member,

a second support sprocket disposed in said guide member at said exit endand having a helical seat on the periphery thereof receiving the otherend of said helical member,

first gear means operably coupled to and between said first sprocketwheel and said first support sprocket,

second gear means operably coupled to and between said second sprocketwheel and said second support sprocket, and

power means operably coupled to one of said sprocket wheels for therotation thereof and thereby, via the adjacent one of said gear meansand the adjacent one of said support sprockets, said helical member, theother of said support sprockets, and the other of said gear means, forthe rotation of the other of said sprocket wheels.

5. A conveyor mechanism according to claim 4 further including aflexible shaft extending through said guide members within said helicalmember and fixed to and between said first and said second supportsprockets.

6. A conveyor mechanism according to claim 5 wheresaid first gear meansincludes a first ring gear fixed to said first sprocket wheel and amating first bevel gear fixed to said first support sprocket; and

said second gear means includes a second ring gear fixed to said secondsprocket wheel and a mating second bevel gear fixed to said secondsupport sprocket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,856,819 10/1958 Meyers et al8933 X 2,951,422 9/1960 Bobkowski 8933 2,993,415 7/1961 Panicci et al8933 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

STEPHEN C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

